CAA Tow Truck Rear-Ended on Perimeter Highway

A CAA Manitoba tow truck was rear-ended on the south Perimeter Highway on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. (CAA MANITOBA / HANDOUT)

A rear-end collision involving a CAA Manitoba tow truck has the automobile association calling on drivers to slow down.

While responding to a vehicle in the ditch Wednesday afternoon on the south Perimeter Highway near McGillivray Boulevard, the tow truck was rear-ended by a vehicle that lost control in the right lane.

“It’s something we see far too often,” said Mike Mager, president and CEO of CAA Manitoba. “If you aren’t driving appropriately for the conditions, you aren’t able to slow down and move over for emergency workers.”

As required by law, motorists passing emergency vehicles, roadside assistance vehicles or government enforcement officer’s vehicles are required to slow down to 40 km/h if the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h and 60 km/h if the posted speed limit is higher than 80 km/h while moving over to the furthest lane wherever possible.

The law has been in place for six years and motorists can be handed a $300 fine and two demerit points if caught.